7 1/4 inch gauge A2 Pacific No.60525 "A.H.Peppercorn"

A 7 1/4 inch gauge LNER A2 Pacific No. 60525 "A.H Peppercorn", a well-known and much-rallied engine, both in the UK and throughout Europe by its ex-BR driver owner.

An older engine, it came to us having had a new commercially built CE-marked boiler fitted in 2021 - steamed once for the boiler inspector, the engine had been unused since that time due the owner's ill health.

Serviced after it arrived, work included:

• Rebushing motion work
• New CNC-turned buffers
• New drain cock pipes fitted
• Replaced split injector unions
• Cleaned and serviced lubricator
• Overhauled safety valves, recut seats, reset for steam test
• Replaced heavily corroded smokebox door dart

On test the engine - built as a two cylinder locomotive - ran sweetly, the newly rebushed bottom end very quiet with a definite feeling of pent-up power behind the regulator handle.The blower is quite gentle, although effective, pulling up the pressure once the steam-raising blower was removed with 50psi on the gauge.

The combined steam and vacuum brake valve worked well, although the brakes are no match for the weight of this large locomotive. Tender brakes are not compensated, so only really effective on the leading set of wheels (strangely much the same as the LNER A4 Pacific "Sir Nigel Gresley" we sold back in 2021).

Driving position on the tender is good, firing is facilitated by the provision of a large firehole door - it also makes extraction of the grate, which comes out in three sections, very easy at the end of a day's steaming.

In good condition throughout, the locomotive is offered with a starter kit of coal, oil and water treatment, set of firing irons and 12 months warranty. If required, we would be pleased to include a half day's training in the firing, driving and maintenance of the engine.